Does Homework have any Value?

Some people say homework has many benefits whilst others believe it actually has detrimental
effects on academic performance. We look at the pros and the cons in detail so you can make up
your own mind.

Why are children given homework? Does it help or hinder their learning? The jury is still out on
that one – some say homework has many benefits whilst others believe it actually has detrimental
effects on academic performance. So, which is it? As ever, you can rely on Education Quizzes to
find out the facts. This guide will tell you both the pros and the cons of homework.

Why are Children given Homework?

It’s a fact that almost every school sets its students homework. That being the case, then there
must be benefits to it, right? So, why are children given homework? There are many reasons
(which we’ll look at in detail later on) but the main ones are these: to reinforce what has been
taught in school, and to help pupils become more independent learners.

Whether you like it or not, homework is a part of school and must be completed. If it isn’t, then
children’s grades will suffer as a result. Think of it as part of a test – if the work isn’t done then the
test won’t be passed.

What are the Benefits of Homework?

Supporters of homework give many reasons why it helps education. It has a great number of
benefits which are all undeniable. As promised earlier, here’s an in-depth look at the reasons why
homework is good for children’s education:

Consolidation of what’s Learned in School

The best way to learn something is to go over it again and again. When a topic has been studied
in class there is always a risk that not every child has understood it. Setting homework on what
has been taught helps children to absorb the information. It also tests how much they know and
allows them to practise new skills they have learned.

Extra Learning Time

Children don’t spend all that long at school. Most are there for six hours or so a day, which
includes breaks, form time, assemblies and such. The amount of time actually spent learning is
very limited and, without homework, there would be a lot to cram in. Homework gives children the
extra time they need to look more deeply into a topic and understand it well. Coursework and
projects are often important parts of a course. Working on them at home frees up valuable lesson
time which can be spent learning new things.

Parental Involvement

How many parents really know what their children are studying at school? Sure, we have parents’
evenings but they only give us a small peek into the classroom. One advantage of homework is
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that it lets parents see for themselves the topics covered in their child’s lessons. This gives us the
assurance that our children are receiving a quality education – or alerts us if they are not.

Family Time

Many people think that homework gets in the way of family time, but it can actually bring families
closer together. If a child is having problems with a question, they can always go to mum or dad
for help. Even for parents who don’t know the answers, this is a great opportunity to spend time
with their child, working together to find things out.

Self-discipline

Homework goes some way towards making children more independent. It’s their responsibility to
make sure the work gets done so they have to set aside the time to do it, away from distractions
such as mobile phones and games consoles. This helps them to better manage their time, to
prioritise certain tasks and to be self-reliant. These are all good life skills which will help in the
adult world – getting something finished requires organisation, dedication and hard work.

Comfortable Surroundings

It may seem odd but, even though classrooms exist so that children can learn, not everybody
learns best when they’re in one. Some students prefer to learn at home, where they are in relaxed
and comfortable surroundings. This applies particularly to kinaesthetic, visual or audio learners
who are free to create the working conditions they prefer. For example, some children learn best
when music is playing in the background – something they’ll never get in a classroom but will at
home.

What are the Disadvantages of Homework?

So, now we’ve looked at the advantages of homework, what about the disadvantages? There are
many people who believe that homework should be banned and they cite many reasons. Here’s
an in depth look at some of the major reasons why some think homework is a hindrance to
education rather than a help:

Homework puts Children under Unnecessary Stress

Some believe that children have enough work to do at school and homework just adds to their
burden. Just as adults like to forget about work once they’re back from the office, so too would
children. If they had any problems at school, homework serves only to bring the problems into the
home. They might feel they have too much on their plate and this can cause stress and all that
comes with it - insomnia, mood swings or aggression.

To answer this, I would say that children are not given work they are unable to do. If they are, then
they are probably in the wrong set at school. Talk to your child’s teacher if you think the work they
are being given is too hard for them.

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Homework makes Children Tired

It’s well known that children need rest and sleep in order to develop. Many believe that, after a
long day at school, children should be allowed to relax. What’s more, they say that tired minds
don’t function well, so expecting top quality work from an already tired child is unreasonable.
Some even say that homework gets in the way of sleep.

Yes, children need to rest but, with 17 hours between the end of one school day and the start of
the next, there is plenty of time for that. If a child is missing out on sleep then there is something
other than homework responsible for that.

Homework gets in the way of Family Time

What with parents going out to work and children going off to school, evenings and weekends are
the only times when families get to spend time together. If these are spent doing homework then
family time is cut short.

Children get plenty of time off school, what with weekends, school holidays and short working
days. It would be a very unlucky student indeed who has to spend their entire evening and
weekend doing homework. If your child does then they are being set too much and you should talk
to their teachers.

Homework is Unfair on some Students

It’s well known that children from poorer backgrounds tend to do less well academically than their
middle-class peers. There could be many reasons for this but one prominent one is that they have
less access to study resources – the internet, books, university educated parents etc. As a
consequence, children from poorer families are at a disadvantage when it comes to homework.

This is undoubtedly true and is, unfortunately, a fact – children from better off families do better in
school and in life than those from deprived backgrounds. There’s no arguing with it.

Homework Encourages Cheating

Because homework is done away from school, there is ample opportunity for children to cheat. If
students study together, or in a group, then there is the temptation to copy one another’s work.
There is also the risk of over-enthusiastic parents who, rather than helping their child with
homework, actually do it for them.

Parents and children who do cheat are doing themselves no favours. In exams there is no one to
copy from and no one else to do the work for you. Homework is not to blame for this though –
that’s like blaming the shops for shoplifters.

Homework creates Conflict between Children and Parents

Having to do schoolwork at home adds pressure to parents. It is they, rather than teachers, who
must insist that the work is done. A child who wants to play with their friends or watch some TV

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instead of working has to be disciplined by the parent, causing unnecessary friction. School rules
should be enforced by teachers, not by parents.

But parents do not have to make their children do homework. It’s better to let the child reap the
consequences of their actions. If they don’t do their homework they’ll probably face punishment at
school and lower grades. That should be motivation enough for them.

Homework Impacts on Children’s Social Lives

Children’s development is not just about the things they learn in school – it’s also about learning
good social skills. Spending time with their friends is actually good for children’s development.
Homework gets in the way of social lives and, if children are denied this, then they may face
problems as adults – social awkwardness or social phobia for example. They might also feel
resentful about homework stifling their friendships which promotes a negative attitude towards
school and learning.

However, if a sensible amount of homework is set then there should still be plenty of time for
socialising. If there isn’t then, again, your child is being set too much homework. If that is the case
then talk to their teachers about it.

How much Time should Children spend on Homework?

It seems to me that homework is only a problem if too much of it is being set. But how much is too
much? Until recently, the amount of homework children of different ages should be given was
decided by the Government. Here is what they suggested:

Primary School Children:

• Years 1 and 2: 60 minutes per week

• Years 3 and 4: 90 minutes per week
• Years 5 and 6: 30 minutes a day

Secondary School Children:

• Years 7 and 8: 45 to 90 minutes a day

• Year 9: 60 to 120 minutes a day
• Years 10 and 11: 90 to 150 minutes a day

However, in 2012 these guidelines were scrapped and it is now up to each individual school to
decide how much homework its students are set. If you have any concerns about the amount of
homework your child is being given, then talk to the school about it. They may agree to either
reduce or increase it.

So, does homework have any value? Very few students look forward to doing it and there are
some disadvantages but, in my opinion, the pros of homework far outweigh the cons. Some say
that homework impinges on family time and children’s social lives but I disagree. (Chinese
students do an average of 14 hours per week, while British ones are set just 5.)

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